The School of Sciences gives the starting signal for academic year 2023-2024 and does so by bringing together the students who this year begin the first year of Degree. Alberto Pérez Mediavilla, Dean of the School, welcomed the attendees and emphasized that the professors and professionals of the School will accompany them on the path they have just started. Pérez Mediavilla encouraged the students to "leave their mark on the University" and to foster fellowship among them: "If there is something that characterizes the area of Sciences is that we are colleagues. I encourage you to foster empathy among yourselves".

The Dean emphasized that the School is committed to fostering human competencies in students. "When you finish the degree program we want you to be in the best status to be able to opt for a work space, but also to have acquired a human training ."

The baton was taken up by Arantza Zornoza, Vice Dean for Alumni, who encouraged them to pursue goals and be "excellent." "We are going to do everything we can to help you achieve the professional goals you seek, but you have to think about what you want to be and what qualities you want to foster". Dr. Zornoza also explained the schedule of the different Degrees, the ADI platform, COMPASS- Orientation and Wellness Unit- and the counseling program. "The advisor is going to accompany you throughout the Degree to help you integrate into the university, in the management of time, study methodology and training and career guidance." Finally, he encouraged students to be respectful in the university environment and to be formal in their communications with academic staff.

Then began a roundtable with students from higher grades (Mercedes Rodríguez from 3rd year of Biochemistry ; Carlos Redondo from 3rd year of Biology, and Iría Rodríguez from 2nd year of Biochemistry +SBP). They have told their experience and have given advice and answers to the different concerns that have arisen in the session.

The workshop ended with a coffee with mentors, and information on the Library Services and the Core Curriculum.

Student background

Of the 195 new students, 139 come from Spain and 56 from other countries. In Spain, the origins are varied: Navarra, Valladolid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid, Asturias, Guipuzcoa, Alava, Seville, Cantabria, Palencia, Alicante, Vizcaya, A Coruña, La Rioja, Cuenca, Las Palmas, Lleida, Burgos and Pontevedra.

The origin of international students is as follows: Belgium, Guatemala, Peru, Hungary, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Portugal, France, El Salvador, Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, Thailand, Honduras, Philippines, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Republic of South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States, Holland, Paraguay, Panama, India, Puerto Rico, Argentina, United Kingdom, Bolivia, Dominican Republic.

Degrees SchoolThe students of this graduating class are distributed as follows: Biochemistry (97), Biology (35), Chemistry (16), Environmental Sciences (15), Biology + Environmental Sciences (21), and Chemistry + Biochemistry (11). Of the total number of students, 61 are in the International Science Program and 33 in the Science and Business Program.